Fan mounting apparatus for heat disspation

ABSTRACT

A fan mounting apparatus includes a chassis, a mounting enclosure, and a clipping device. A securing slot is defined in the chassis. The mounting enclosure includes a top cover. The clipping device includes a mounting member and an operating member. The mounting member is secured to the mounting enclosure. The operating member is moveably attached to the mounting member and exposed out of the mounting enclosure. The operating member includes a hook extending through the top cover and engaged in the securing slot. The operating member is moveable in a direction towards the mounting member, so that the hook is disengaged from the securing slot.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to fan mounting apparatuses, more particularly to a fan mounting apparatus for a computer system.

2. Description of Related Art

In a working computer system, a large amount of heat may be generated from electrical elements of the computer system. A fan is often used as a conventional means to dissipate the heat out of the computer system. Typically, a bracket is provided for receiving a fan, and a plurality of screws may be used to install the fan to the bracket. However, in such a configuration, assembling and disassembling of the fan may be inconvenient. Therefore, there is room in the art for improvement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with references to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a fan mounting apparatus in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, and viewed from a different aspect.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a circled portion III of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a circled portion IV of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an assembled view of a clipping device of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an exploded, isometric view of the fan mounting apparatus and a chassis in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an assembled view of the fan mounting apparatus and the chassis of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a mounting apparatus in accordance with an embodiment. The mounting apparatus comprises a mounting enclosure 1 and two clipping devices 500 secured to the mounting enclosure 1. FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show that the mounting apparatus is used to secure a fan module 300 to a chassis 600. Four securing tabs 311 are located on the fan module 300. The chassis 600 comprises a bottom plate 610 and two side plates 620 located on the bottom plate 610. Two securing slots 621 are defined in each of the two side plates 620.

The mounting enclosure 1 comprises a top cover 100, two clasping plates 200, and a base 400. The top cover 100 comprises a top panel 110 and two side panels 120 extending downwards from two opposite edges of the top panel 110. Two pairs of first through holes 111, each pair adjacent to each of the two side panels 120, are defined in the top panel 110. A second through hole 112 is defined in the top panel 110 adjacent a front edge of the top panel 110. Two positioning holes 121 are defined in a bottom of each of the two side panels 120 at two opposite ends, and a receiving cutout 123 is defined in a front edge of each side panel 120.

Two protrusions 210 extend from each of the two clasping plates 200. A securing hole 211, corresponding to the first through hole 111, is defined in each of the two protrusions 210. Two mounting slots 220 are defined in each clasping plate 200.

The base 400 comprises a bottom panel 410, a front panel 420 extending from a front edge of the bottom panel 410, and two securing panels 430 extending from two opposite side edges of the bottom panel 410. Two mounting holes 411 are defined in the bottom panel 410. Two securing flanges 421 extend inward from two opposite sides of the front panel 420. Two openings 422, adjacent to each of the two securing flanges 421, are defined in the front panel 420. A plurality of ventilation holes 423 is defined in the front panel 420. A fastening hole 424 and two fixing holes 425 are defined in a top end of the front panel 420. The fastening hole 424 is located between the two fixing holes 425. A hole 431 is defined in each securing panel 430.

FIGS. 3-4 show that each of the two clipping devices 500 comprises a mounting member 510 and an operating member 520. The mounting member 510 comprises a receiving portion 511 and two mounting portions 512, connected to the receiving portion 511. The receiving portion 511 comprises two parallel receiving panels 5110, a first connecting panel 5112, and a second connecting panel 5113. The two receiving panels 5110, the first connecting panel 5112 and the second connecting panel 5113 cooperatively define a receiving space 513. A cutout 5114 is defined in the first connecting panel 5112. Two flanges 5111 extend from opposite edges of the second connecting panel 5113 and secured to the two receiving panels 5110. A plurality of first air outlets 5115 is defined in the second connecting panel 5113. In one embodiment, the first connecting panel 5112 is substantially perpendicular to the two receiving panels 5110 and the second connecting panel 5113, and the second connecting panel 5113 is substantially perpendicular to the two receiving panels 5110. Each of the two mounting portions 512 comprises a retaining portion 5121 and a connecting portion 5122 connected to the retaining portion 5121 and the receiving panel 5110. In one embodiment, the connecting portion 5122 is substantially perpendicular to the retaining portion 5121 and the receiving panel 5110. A first retaining hole 5124 is defined in the retaining portion 5121 of one of the two mounting portions 512, and a second retaining hole 5125 is defined in the retaining portion 5121 of another mounting portion 512.

The operating member 520 comprises a concave portion 521, a resisting portion 523 extending from the concave portion 521, and two resilient arms 524. A plurality of second air outlets 5231 is defined in the resisting portion 523. Two hooks 522 are located on the operating member 520 and away from the concave portion 521. In one embodiment, each of the two resilient arms 524 is arcuate.

FIGS. 1-5 shows that in assembly, the operating member 520 is received in the receiving space 513, and the resisting portion 523 is engaged in the cutout 5114, and the two resilient arms 524 abut against the first connecting panel. Thus, the operating member 520 is secured to the mounting member 510. The first retaining holes 5124 are aligned with the mounting holes 411, and the second retaining holes 5125 are aligned with the fixing holes 425. Four first fixing members 800 are engaged with the first retaining holes 5124 and the mounting holes 411 and engaged with the second retaining holes 5125 and the fixing holes 425. Therefore, the two clipping devices 500 are secured to the base 400, and the two concave portions 521 are engaged in the two openings 422.

The two clasping plates 200 abut the two opposite sides of the fan module 300. The securing tabs 311 are engaged in the mounting slots 220, and the two clasping plates 200 are mounted to the fan module 300. The fan module 300 and the two clasping plates 200 are together placed in the base 400. The top cover 100 is covered on the fan module 300 and the two clasping plates 200, and the two securing flanges 421 are received in the receiving cutout 123, and two gaps 10 (shown in FIG. 6) are defined between the securing flange 421 and the side panel 120. The hooks 522 extend outside of top cover 100 via the gaps 10. The first through holes 111 are aligned with the securing holes 211, the second through hole 112 is aligned with the fastening hole 424, and the positioning holes 121 are aligned with the holes 431. Four second fixing members 810 are engaged in the first through holes 111 and the securing holes 211. Five third fixing members 820 are engaged in the second through hole 112 and the fastening hole 424 and engaged in the positioning hole 121 and the holes 431. Therefore, the top cover 100 is secured to the base 400.

FIGS. 6-7 shows that the mounting apparatus and the fan module 300 are located between the two side plates 620 and slid into the chassis 600. The resilient arms 524 are resiliently deformed when the hooks 522 are pressed by the side plates 620. When the hooks 522 are aligned with the securing slots 621, the resilient arms 524 are released and rebound to engage the hooks 522 into the securing slots 621. Thus, the mounting apparatus and the fan module 300 is secured to the chassis 600.

In disassembly, the concave portion 521 is operated to move towards the receiving space 513, the resilient arms 524 is deformed by the first connecting panel 5112. The resisting portion 523 is moved in the cutout 5114, the hooks 522 are disengaged from the securing slots 621, so that the base 400 with the fan module 300 is slid out of the chassis 600.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of embodiments, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fan mounting apparatus comprising: a chassis, and a securing slot defined in the chassis; a mounting enclosure for receiving a fan module; the mounting enclosure comprising a top cover; and a clipping device comprising a mounting member and an operating member; the mounting member secured to the mounting enclosure, and the operating member moveably attached to the mounting member; the operating member comprising a hook; and the hook extending through the top cover and engaged in the securing slot; wherein the operating member is moveable in a direction towards the mounting member to disengage the hook from the securing slot.
 2. The fan mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mounting member comprises a receiving portion, the receiving portion comprises a first connecting panel, the operating member comprises a resilient arm, and the resilient arm abuts the first connecting panel.
 3. The fan mounting apparatus of claim 2, wherein a cutout is defined in the first connecting panel, the operating member comprises a resisting portion, and the resisting portion is moveably engaged in the cutout.
 4. The fan mounting apparatus of claim 3, wherein the mounting member further comprises a second connecting panel connected to the first connecting panel and parallel to the resisting portion; and a first air outlet is defined in the second connecting panel, and a second air outlet is defined in the resisting portion.
 5. The fan mounting apparatus of claim 4, wherein the receiving portion further comprises a receiving panel substantially perpendicular to connected to the first connecting panel and the second connecting panel, the mounting member further comprises a mounting portion connected to the receiving panel, and the mounting portion is secured to the top cover.
 6. The fan mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mounting enclosure comprises a base, the base comprises a front panel, an opening is defined in the front panel, and the operating member is exposed out of the mounting enclosure via the opening.
 7. The fan mounting apparatus of claim 6, wherein the top cover comprises a side panel, the front panel comprises a securing flange, a gap is defined between the securing flange and the side panel, and the hook extends out of the side panel via the gap.
 8. The fan mounting apparatus of claim 7, wherein the mounting enclosure further comprises a clasping plate attached to the side panel, and a mounting slot is defined in the clasping plate and adapted to receive a securing tab of the fan module.
 9. The fan mounting apparatus of claim 7, wherein a receiving cutout is defined in the side panel, and the securing flange is located in the receiving cutout.
 10. A fan mounting apparatus comprising: a chassis; a securing slot defined in the chassis; a mounting enclosure for receiving a fan module; the mounting enclosure comprising a top cover and a front panel; the top cover comprising a side panel; and a clipping device comprising a mounting member and an operating member; the mounting member secured to the mounting enclosure, and the operating member moveably attached to the mounting member and comprising a resilient arm and a hook; the resilient arm abutting the mounting member, and the hook extending through the side panel and engaged in the securing slot; wherein the operating member is moveable relative to the mounting member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the side panel, and the resilient member is deformable to disengage the hook from the securing slot.
 11. The fan mounting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the mounting member comprises a receiving portion, the receiving portion comprises a first connecting panel, and the resilient arm abuts the first connecting panel.
 12. The fan mounting apparatus of claim 11, wherein a cutout is defined in the first connecting panel, the operating member comprises a resisting portion, and the resisting portion is moveably engaged in the cutout.
 13. The fan mounting apparatus of claim 12, wherein the mounting member further comprises a second connecting panel connected to the first connecting panel and parallel to the resisting portion; and a first air outlet is defined in the second connecting panel, and a second air outlet is defined in the resisting portion.
 14. The fan mounting apparatus of claim 13, wherein the receiving portion further comprises a receiving panel connected to the first connecting panel and the second connecting panel, and the mounting member further comprises a mounting portion connected to the receiving panel, and the mounting portion is secured to the top cover.
 15. The fan mounting apparatus of claim 10, wherein an opening is defined in the front panel, and the operating member is exposed out of the mounting enclosure via the opening.
 16. The fan mounting apparatus of claim 15, wherein the front panel comprises a securing flange, a gap is defined between the securing flange and the side panel, and the hook extends out of the side panel via the gap.
 17. The fan mounting apparatus of claim 16, wherein the mounting enclosure further comprises a clasping plate attached to the side panel, and a mounting slot is defined in the clasping plate and adapted to receive a securing tab of the fan module.
 18. The fan mounting apparatus of claim 16, wherein a receiving cutout is defined in the side panel, and the securing flange is located in the receiving cutout to define the gap.
 19. The fan mounting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the resilient arm is arcuate. 